IEPF holds 'Transition to Circular and Green Economy' event at WUF13

An event titled "Transition to a circular and green economy: challenges and opportunities for sustainable urban planning" was held as part of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), with the support of Azerbaijan's Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations and organized by the International Eurasia Press Fund.

Report informs that the event was held at the NGO Agency's pavilion at the WUF13 Urban Expo. Umud Mirzayev, President of the International Eurasia Press Fund, delivered the opening speech and first thanked the NGO Agency.

"First of all, I would like to thank the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations for its support in organizing this event within WUF13. The topic we are discussing here today - the transition to a green and circular economy - is highly relevant and of strategic importance. In fact, these two areas are the new philosophy of the cities of the future. Azerbaijan is also taking important steps in this field. In particular, the 'smart city' and 'smart village' projects implemented in the liberated territories, as well as the creation of green energy zones, are real examples of a sustainable development model," Umud Mirzayev said.

Then Oscar Nunez, Policy Officer at the General Secretariat of the World Association of the Major Metropolises, spoke on "The contribution of solar energy and green energy solutions to urban development"; Zahid Farrukh Mammadov, Deputy Director of the Institute for Economic Research at Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), spoke on "From a 'concrete economy' to a green urbanization model"; Nik Nwolisa, PhD student in World Economy at Khazar University and researcher-writer, spoke on "From oil dependence to circular sustainability: Azerbaijan's green economy path for sustainable urban development"; and Farida Ali, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Nutrition and Medical Ecology at Azerbaijan Medical University, spoke on "Urban planning and human health."

An interactive question-and-answer session was held between speakers and participants at the end of the event.

During the session, participants exchanged views on the impact of the transition to a green and circular economy on urban planning policy, the role of renewable energy sources in urbanization, and new opportunities for cooperation for sustainable urban development.